Kawhi Leonard signs 3-year, $153M extension with Clippers, sources say،
Kawhi Leonard has signed a three-year, $153 million contract extension to stay with the LA Clippers, sources tell ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski.
The Clippers announced the deal Wednesday but did not disclose terms.
Sources told Wojnarowski that the deal would pay Leonard $52 million in the first year and about $50 million per season over the next two years. The expansion does not include a player option, according to Wojnarowski.
Leonard is in the midst of one of his healthiest and most productive seasons as a Clipper, and the extension ensures that the Clippers will have their franchise star as they move into their new Intuit Dome next season.
The Clippers are also in extension talks with Paul George and want both of their stars aligned on longer-term contracts, sources told Wojnarowski.
Leonard had until June 30 to sign an extension with a $48.7 million player option for next season. George also has a $48.7 million player option for next season.
Both Clippers stars entered the season eligible for a four-year, $223 million maximum extension, according to ESPN's Bobby Marks.
Leonard is averaging 23.8 points and 6.1 rebounds per game, shooting 51.6 percent from the field and 43 percent from behind the arc in 32 games this season. Since a 3-7 start shortly after trading for James Harden, the Clippers have won 20 of their last 26 games.
A healthy Leonard played a big role in that success. Leonard started this season playing in 27 consecutive games, his most consecutive games in a season since 2016-17.
George is also off to a strong start to the season, averaging 23.2 points and 5.6 rebounds while shooting 46.0% from the field and 40.9% from 3-point range in 34 games.
“We are excited to continue our relationship with Kawhi,” Lawrence Frank, Clippers president of basketball operations, said in a statement. He is an elite player, a tremendous partner and a hard worker who knows how to win and makes it his first priority. He has elevated our franchise from the moment he arrived. We feel fortunate that Kawhi chose to join the Clippers ago is five years old. and delighted to continue building with him.”
